The construction of ‘So What?’ Criminology: a realist analysis

From a realist perspective there is a growing body of criminology that can be classified as ‘So What?’ criminology in that it involves a low level of theorisation, thin, inconsistent or vague concepts and categories, embodies a dubious methodology or has little or no policy relevance. The production...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Matthews, Roger A (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2010
In:In: Crime, Law and Social Change 54(2010), 2, Seite 125-140
Online Access: Volltext (kostenfrei)
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
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Summary:From a realist perspective there is a growing body of criminology that can be classified as ‘So What?’ criminology in that it involves a low level of theorisation, thin, inconsistent or vague concepts and categories, embodies a dubious methodology or has little or no policy relevance. The production of ‘So What?’ criminology is, of course, no accident but the outcome of a number of lines of force that have served to shape the nature of mainstream academic criminology in recent years. The aim of this article is to identify some of these lines of force and to assess their impact.
DOI:10.1007/s10611-010-9249-2